Presenting: The 2018 Champions of Equality Award!

Seated: Tim Eustace & Babs Siperstein. Standing: Michael Spadoro, First Lady Tammy Murphy, & Governor Phil Murphy.

It was my distinct honor to be named as a recipient of the 2018 Champions of Equality Award by Governor Phil Murphy yesterday, July 17, 2018, at a reception hosted by the Governor and First Lady Tammy at Drumthwacket and emceed by Michael Spadoro, Political Director for Bonnie Watson Coleman for Congress. Also honored were transgender advocate Babs Siperstein (Deputy Vice Chair of the New Jersey Democratic Committee and Political Director of the Gender Rights Advocacy Association of Jersey) and Tim Eustace (Executive Director of the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission and former Democratic Assemblyman, LD-38). The award focuses on individuals who work to increase LGBTQ visibility in our state, and it was my pleasure to accept the Governor's Proclamation. Also on hand was Danni Newbury, Coordinator of the Office of LGBTQ Services for Union County (the first such office in the State of New Jersey). I would like to thank those who nominated me, and I will continue to do all that I can to advance civil rights and visibility in the LGBTQ community as well as in the Union County community at large. Thanks, everyone!

Clockwise, from left to right: With Danni Newbury & Governor Murphy;  Governor's Proclamation; with Plainfielder Luis Camacho;with Elaine Helms (CEO/President & Founder of the Essex County LGBT RAIN Foundation).